Process and machine for product mixing

ABSTRACT

A process is provided for the mixing of one or more concentrates in a machine, wherein one or more concentrates and/or one or more diluents are mixed together in a mixing chamber; and the product is dispensed from said machine into a storage container. A machine is also provided for the mixing of one or more concentrates, wherein said machine comprises one or more diluent sources and one or more concentrate sources, said diluent and concentrate sources being in fluid communication with one or more mixing chambers. Further, a process is provided for the simultaneous multiple mixing and dispensing of a plurality of products employing a machine comprising one or more diluent sources and one or more concentrate sources, said diluent and concentrate sources being in fluid communication with a plurality of mixing chambers.

This application claims priority to the foreign application filed onApr. 25, 2000, in Europe and having a serial number of 00303426.1. FIELDOF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a process and machine forproduct mixing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Methods of product mixing or reconstitution are known in the art,wherein liquid concentrates are mixed with a diluent by means of anaspirator containing a venturi. In this method, the venturi draws liquidconcentrate into contact with the diluent stream, thereby mixingconcentrate and diluent together. In such a method, any number ofconcentrates may be envisaged.

[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,327 discloses a solution storageand dispensing apparatus for forming solutions in a plurality of storagecontainers using a single dispenser to selectively direct a firstliquid, such as water, to each of the storage containers for formingsolutions therein.

[0004] An aspirator located in each of the storage containers draws asecond liquid, such as a concentrate, into the storage container inresponse to the flow of the first liquid through the aspirator toprovide a controlled concentration of solution in the container.

[0005] The method employed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,327 is limited to thereconstitution of liquid products. Such a method is further limited inthat concentrates must have a inherently high solubility in the diluentused.

[0006] Filling machines may dispense a wide variety of products from thesame machine. Such machines may include production line filling machinesand vending systems which are designed to fill containers at siteslocated in, for example, retail outlets, offices and other workplaces.

[0007] By “vending system” in the present invention, is meant a fillingmachine that dispenses product in response to one or more selectionsthat are input into the machine by the user. Such a system may beoperated by coin, token, card or other suitable means.

[0008] In a situation where multiple vends of a variety of concentratecombinations are required from the same machine, the potential forcontamination is increased.

[0009] Typically, the design of filling machines, such as vendingmachines, avoids the contamination issue by isolating the concentratesand filling them directly into the container prior to adding thediluent. This method is effective in avoiding contamination but does notallow the effective mixing and reconstitution of the concentrate.

[0010] The mixing of concentrates with diluents and/or the addition ofcustomised combinations of concentrates adds complexity and thepotential for contamination in filling machines.

[0011] The alternative method of dispensing concentrates into thecontainer and adding the diluent does not provide a consistently wellmixed product and limits the range of concentrate formulations possibleby such a method to those formulations that have an inherently highsolubility.

[0012] The limitations imposed by the current state of the art are suchthat it is difficult to implement a filling machine, in particular avending machine, that can give the user the guarantee of awell-reconstituted product.

[0013] In addition, the mixing and reconstitution of the productcomponents is limited by the ability of the method to handle disparateproduct types, and the formulation is usually limited to one physicaltype at the exclusion of others, for example, liquid, powder or paste.

[0014] Furthermore, maintaining the quality of product reconstitutionwith any permutation of the amount or physical characteristics ofconstituents is difficult to achieve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] According to the present invention there is provided a processfor the mixing of one or more concentrates in a machine, wherein

[0016] (i) one or more concentrates and/or one or more diluents aremixed together in a mixing chamber; and

[0017] (ii) the product is dispensed from said machine into a storagecontainer.

[0018] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a machine forthe mixing of one or more concentrates, wherein said machine comprisesone or more diluent sources and one or more concentrate sources, saiddiluent and concentrate sources being in fluid communication with one ormore mixing chambers.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the machineis a filling machine, more in particular, a vending system.

[0020] The design of the machine of the present invention serves toallow concentrates with different physical characteristics, such assolids and liquids, to be mixed together. For example, solids such aspellets and powders may be added to the mixing chamber by a hopper feed.

[0021] The design of the machine serves to eliminate contaminationproblems arising from previous product mixtures, by providing discreteconcentrate and diluent conduits, and by ensuring mixing of concentratesand/or diluents occurs only in the mixing chamber.

[0022] The diluent and concentrate sources are in fluid communicationwith the mixing chamber by conduits, and are controlled by a series ofcontrol valves and augers of the kind commonly used in the art.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the machinecomprises one or more diluent sources and one or more concentratesources, the diluent and concentrate sources are in fluid communicationwith a plurality of mixing chambers, said mixing chambers each beinglinked in turn to a separate dispense point. Said dispense points may becontrolled by any means known in the art, for example a control valve orauger.

[0024] It is therefore possible to offer a process for the simultaneousmultiple mixing and dispensing of a plurality of products employing amachine comprising one or more diluent sources and one or moreconcentrate sources, said diluent and concentrate sources being in fluidcommunication with a plurality of mixing chambers.

[0025] By “concentrate” in the present invention is meant a bulkconcentrate for reconstitution which contains all of the formulationcomponents. “Concentrate” is also intended to embrace a genericconcentrate which contains only the basic formulation components inconcentrated form. Said concentrate may be further customised by theaddition of one or more additives to the mixing chambers so as toprovide further features and properties to the subsequentlyreconstituted product. In this case, it will be appreciated that saidadditives can also be considered as being “concentrates” in their ownright.

[0026] Thus, in this embodiment, additive sources may be in fluidcommunication with the mixing chamber. Said additive sources may be ofdisparate types, for example, liquids and solids.

[0027] In the present invention, one or more concentrates and/ordiluents may be dosed into the mixing chamber according to the usersinstructions and final requirements, and may be mixed by a variety ofmechanisms.

[0028] It will be appreciated that the order of mixing is not limited inthe present invention. For example, one or more concentrates may bemixed together prior to the addition of one or more diluents, or viceversa. In a further example, it is possible to add all concentrates anddiluents simultaneously and then subsequently mix said concentrates anddiluents together. A number of permutations in addition and mixing stepsare therefore possible.

[0029] Said one or more concentrate and/or diluents may be mixed in themixing chamber until an even and homogeneous mix is achieved, oralternatively, a mix is achieved that will produce a consistency oreffect that is appropriate to the intended specification.

[0030] In the case where a reconstituted product is desired, one or morediluents may be added to the mixing chamber.

[0031] Said one or more concentrate sources and one or more diluents maythen be mixed together to reconstitute the product to achieve itsdesired concentration, physical properties or chemical properties.

[0032] Said optionally reconstituted product may then be dispensed intoa storage container.

[0033] The nature of the storage container that may be employed in thepresent invention is not limited. It will be appreciated that saidstorage container may be an integral part of the machine. Alternatively,it is possible to dispense the reconstituted product into a standardexternal storage container of the kind known in the art.

[0034] Standard storage containers are available in a wide variety ofshapes and forms. They may be assembled from a wide variety ofcomponents, and may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials.

[0035] Said containers may be manufactured from a plastics material. Assuch, said container may be manufactured by any conventional process forthe forming of plastics material, such as by an extrusion or aninjection blow-moulding process. Suitable plastics materials include anyappropriate to the requirements of the product including, by way ofexample, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP),Polyethylene (PE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC) and barrier laminates such as PET/NYLON/PET and PP/BAREX®/PP etc.(BAREX® is a trade mark of BP Amoco plc).

[0036] The storage container may be an open vessel. However, in apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage containerwill contain a bottom portion, side walls and an upper portion.

[0037] Said storage container may comprise any number, combination andorientation of fill and/or dispense apertures that meet the needs of theproduct, its intended use or its method of use.

[0038] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the fillaperture of said storage container will preferably open and re-close bysome function of the filling process, by the action of the fillingmachine, or a mechanism thereof. It will be further appreciated that inthe case where the fill aperture also acts as the dispense aperture,that said fill aperture may be designed to be opened manually by theuser, in addition to automatic opening when in connection with thefilling head.

[0039] The storage container may include any dispensing, dosing orapplication feature or device providing the means to dispense theproduct in a wide variety of ways.

[0040] The container may include provision for manual or powereddispensing.

[0041] The container may include any further device or mechanism forfilling known in the art.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processwill include an optional step (iii) after product dispense comprising aflush cycle with one or more diluents in order to clean the mixingchamber and/or dispense point prior to re-use.

[0043] Concentrate and/or diluent sources will be housed in bulkreservoirs inside the machine, or fed into the machine from an externallocation through conduits.

[0044] The mixing chamber and said bulk reservoirs may be standardcontainers known in the art, or alternatively, for space efficiency,they may be bespoke moulded containers. Bespoke moulded containerscould, for example, be of such a shape that corresponds to the internalshape of a filling machine, so maximising storage space.

[0045] The mixing chamber not only provides a more consistent mix thanmethods and apparatus known in the art, but said chamber alsofacilitates the handling and reconstitution of disparate product types,such as liquids and solids.

[0046] Concentrates and/or diluents may be added into the mixing chambervertically, or may be added tangentially along the wall of the mixingchamber to aid mixing.

[0047] The mixing mechanism in the present invention is not limited andwill vary according to the nature of the product being mixed, and mayinvolve, for example, using a rotor paddle, centrifuge or vibrationmethods.

[0048] It will be appreciated that the speed of mixing is a key factorwhen dispensing products. This variable will therefore be selected toachieve a balance between the quality of mixing and the amount of timeinherent in the mixing process before dispense may occur.

[0049] The machine and process of the present invention may beconveniently used to reconstitute a wide variety of materials which maytypically be concentrated and then reconstituted. For example, themachine and process of the present invention may be applied tofoodstuffs, beverages, household products such as cleaning products anddetergents, and automotive products such as lubricants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The present invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however,that the accompanying drawings illustrate only some embodiments of theinvention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope,because the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0051]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system comprising adiluent source and a plurality of concentrate sources, each being influid communication with a common mixing chamber; and

[0052]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a system comprising adiluent source and a plurality of concentrate sources, each being influid communication with a plurality of mixing chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] Referring to FIG. 1, a machine 1 a comprises a diluent source 1,for example water, and a plurality of concentrate sources 2 to 5. Saiddiluent and concentrate sources are in fluid communication with a mixingchamber 6 through a series of conduits 7 to 11, respectively controlledby control valves 12 to 16. Said control valves 12 to 16 may beautomatically or manually operated. Said mixing chamber 6 in fluidcommunication with a dispense point 17, which is controlled by a controlvalve 18, said dispense point 17 serving to dispense product to astorage container 19, which may be an integral component of the machine,or in an alternative embodiment, may be external to the machine. It isemphasised that said storage container 19 is shown in FIG. 1 in a purelyrepresentative manner, and can be of any suitable form.

[0054] For example, in the case that the desired product is areconstituted mixture of concentrates 2 and 4, the machine operator mayselect the desired combination of sources 1, 2 and 4 either manually bymanipulating the appropriate control valves 12, 13 and 15, respectively.Alternatively, the operator may input selections to a machine interface,said interface registering the selection and controlling the appropriatevalves automatically. The dosing of said combination will depend uponthe time the control valves remain open. Sources 1, 2 and 4 are thenmixed in the mixing chamber for the desired length of time before thecontrol valve 18 is opened manually or automatically, allowing dispenseto the storage container 19.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, a system comprises a diluent source 20, forexample water, and a plurality of concentrate sources 21 to 23. Saiddiluent and concentrate sources 20 to 23 are in bulk reservoirs in fluidcommunication with mixing chambers 24 and 25 through a series ofconduits 26 to 29 and 30 to 33, respectively. The diluent andconcentrate sources can be fed into a machine 1 a from an externallocation through the conduits. Said conduits are controlled by controlvalves 34 to 41, respectively. Said control valves may be automaticallyor manually operated. Said mixing chambers 24 and 25 are in fluidcommunication with dispense points 42 and 43 which are controlled bycontrol valves 44 and 45, respectively. Said dispense points 42 and 43dispense product to storage containers (not shown), which may beintegral components of the machine, or in an alternative embodiment, maybe external to the machine.

[0056] For example, in the case that there are two desired productswhich are a reconstituted mixture of concentrates 21 and 22 and aconcentrate mixture of concentrates 21 and 23 respectively, a machineoperator or two independent machine operators may simultaneously selectthe desired combination of sources, that is to say, sources 20, 21 and22 in the case of the first desired product and sources 21 and 23 in thecase of the second desired product. Said selections may be made eithermanually by manipulating the appropriate control valves or preferably inan automated fashion by inputting selections to a machine interface.Said machine interface then registers the selection and controls thevalves automatically, thereby dosing and diverting independent productselections to independent mixing chambers. Thus, sources 20, 21 and 22will be mixed in mixing chamber 24, whilst sources 21 and 23 will bemixed in mixing chamber 25. Each of the desired products is mixed in themixing chambers 24 and 25 for the required length of time before thecontrol valves 44 and 45 are opened either manually or automatically.Said desired products are then dispensed through dispense points 42 and43 to storage containers.

[0057] It is emphasised that by appropriate design of theabove-described machine systems, they can accommodate as manyconcentrate and diluent sources as required, and as many dispense pointsas required. These can be achieved by selection of the appropriatenumbers of mixing chambers.

[0058] While the foregoing is directed to various embodiments of thepresent invention, other and further embodiments may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof. For example, the various methodsand embodiments of the invention can be included in combination witheach other to produce variations of the disclosed methods andembodiments. Also, the directions such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,”“right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations aredescribed herein for clarity in reference to the figures and are not tobe limiting of the actual device or system or use of the device orsystem. The device or system may be used in a number of directions andorientations. Further, the order of steps can occur in a variety ofsequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various stepsdescribed herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated withthe stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps.

1. A process for mixing of one or more concentrates in a machine,wherein (i) one or more concentrates and/or one or more diluents aremixed together in a mixing chamber to form a product; and (ii) theproduct is dispensed from said machine into a storage container.
 2. Theprocess according to claim 1, wherein the process comprises a furtherstep (iii) comprising a flush cycle with one or more diluents in orderto clean the mixing chamber and/or dispense point prior to re-use. 3.The process according to claim 1, wherein the concentrate and/or diluentsources are housed in bulk reservoirs located inside the machine.
 4. Theprocess of claim 1, wherein at least one of the concentrates comprises asolid.
 5. The process of claim 4, wherein the solid comprises aplurality of pellets, one or more powders, or a combination thereof. 6.The process of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the productcomprises a solid.
 7. The process of claim 6, wherein the solidcomprises a plurality of pellets, one or more powders, or a combinationthereof.
 8. A process according to claim 1, wherein the concentrateand/or diluent sources are fed into the machine from an externallocation through conduits.
 9. A system for the mixing of one or moreconcentrates, wherein said machine comprises one or more diluent sourcesand one or more concentrate sources, said diluent and concentratesources being in fluid communication with one or more mixing chambers.10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the diluent and concentratesources are in fluid communication with a plurality of mixing chambers,said mixing chambers each being linked in turn to a separate dispensepoint.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of sourcescomprises a solid.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the solidcomprises a plurality of pellets, one or more powders, or a combinationthereof.
 13. The system according to claim 9, wherein said machine is afilling machine.
 14. The system according to claim 10, wherein saidmachine is a filling machine.
 15. The system according to claim 9,wherein said machine is a vending machine.
 16. The system according toclaim 10, wherein said machine is a vending machine.
 17. The systemaccording to claim 11, wherein said machine is a vending machine. 18.The system according to claim 13, wherein said machine is a vendingmachine.
 19. A process for the simultaneous multiple reconstitution anddispensing of a plurality of products employing a machine comprising oneor more diluent sources and one or more concentrate sources, saiddiluent and concentrate sources being in fluid communication with aplurality of mixing chambers.
 20. The process according to claim 19,wherein the products comprise household products.
 21. The process ofclaim 19, wherein at least a portion of the product comprises a solid.22. The process of claim 21, wherein the solid comprises a plurality ofpellets, one or more powders, or a combination thereof.